International Delegation Travel Award

The International Delegation Travel Award is a new funding program designed to support Connected Minds members in establishing and strengthening international partnerships with organizations across our partner sectors. Travel within Canada is not eligible under this award.

Build your Connected Minds A-team and work collaboratively to develop a vibrant new partnership that will power your research/creation endeavours and extend the international reach of Connected Minds!

*Two awards of up to $30,000 in travel and accommodation funding will be available to each successful applicant team. In addition, each team will receive up to $10,000 in a shared research expense fund to support partnership development activities (in contrast with the regular Connected Minds Travel Awards, this would include: workshops/grant writing, limited hospitality expenses, etc. Please refer to the Eligible & Ineligible Expenses section below).

Application Deadline: January 22, 2027, 11:59PM EST

Application Link (Available Soon)

Team Composition Template (Available Soon)

Self-ID Survey (Available Soon)

Travel must take place within 9-months of the application deadline.

*A second competition may be offered in Fall 2027 if funding remains available following this competition cycle.

The Connected Minds International Delegation must comprise an interdisciplinary team that includes representation from each of the three CM pillars: Intelligent Technology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, and Society.

The team must have a minimum of five (5) traveling CM faculty members and include at least one CM early career faculty researcher. Teams that include both 91��ɫ and Queen’s members are strongly encouraged. Master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral trainees may participate as team members in addition to the five CM faculty members. Travel costs for trainees must be covered by their supervisor. Connected Minds funded trainees may use their Research Exchange/Internship travel (REIT) allowance to support eligible travel costs.

Proposals that include follow-on reciprocal delegation visits funded by the proposed partner organization will be prioritized but are not a requirement. Where financial limitations present a barrier to reciprocal travel to 91��ɫ or Queen's University, the Connected Minds office may work with the partner to identify potential sources of support, subject to available funds. Requests must include a clear justification demonstrating the need for this support and can be described in the application. If there is no current plan for a reciprocal travel from the proposed partner organization at the time of submission, a request may be submitted to the Connected Minds office later through an online request form.

The expectation is that these awards will contribute to the development of a new organization-to-organization level international partnership, with outcomes that may include, but are not limited to, reciprocal member and HQP exchanges, joint funding applications (internal and external), collaborative conferences and knowledge mobilization activities, and internship opportunities. The development of an MOU or other formal partnership agreement is strongly encouraged.

Awardees must submit a final report within two months of the completion of the trip. Awardees are also expected to provide photos and stories from their trip to our Engagement Coordinator, Anahita Haidari, for use in Connected Minds newsletters, communications, and future reporting.

Build your Connected Minds A-team and work collaboratively to develop a vibrant new partnership that will power your research/creation endeavours and extend the international reach of Connected Minds!

For questions regarding eligibility, please contact Herb Goltz.

The full application must be submitted through the link posted above by 11:59PM EST on Friday, January 22, 2027.

Components of the application include:

Rationale for the proposed partnership and relevance to the Connected Minds mandate (max 750 words);
Team composition [template]
Academic CVs;
Letter of support from proposed international partner organization with a summary of institutional and research activities related to the Connected Minds mandate/long-term goals;
For trainees, a letter of support from their Connected Minds supervisor;
Budget breakdown of travel related expenses, including screenshots/quotes for airfare and accommodation;
Tentative travel itinerary/timeline
Completed self-identification survey [link]

Applicants are not required to provide a detailed budget for the $10,000 shared research expense fund. However, all expenses must be directly related to partnership development and comply with 91��ɫ and CFREF expense eligibility guidelines. Please refer to the Expense Eligibility & Reimbursement Guidelines section below for more information.

Proposals will be assessed by the Partnerships Committee using the criteria below, and funding recommendations will be forwarded to the Leadership Committee for final approval.

Criterion	Description	Weight
Strategic Alignment with Connected Minds	The extent to which the proposed partnership advances Connected Minds' vision, strategic priorities, and interdisciplinary research themes. Demonstrates meaningful integration across all three CM pillars.	25%
Strength and Strategic Value of the International Partner	The reputation, expertise, complementary strengths, and long-term strategic value of the proposed partner organization. Evidence that the partnership offers opportunities not otherwise available through existing collaborations.	25%
Potential for Sustainable Partnership and Impact	Likelihood that the delegation visit will result in a lasting institutional partnership, including future collaborations such as reciprocal exchanges, joint grant applications, research projects, student/postdoctoral opportunities, knowledge mobilization activities, or formal agreements (e.g., MOU).	25%
Delegation Composition and Collaboration Plan	Appropriateness of the delegation members, including interdisciplinary representation, participation of early career researchers, and meaningful contributions from all travelers. Where applicable, inclusion of both 91��ɫ and Queen's members and CM funded graduate and postdoc trainees strengthens the proposal.	15%
Feasibility and Quality of the Engagement Plan	The travel itinerary, planned meetings, proposed activities, and timeline are well developed and demonstrate a realistic approach to achieving the stated partnership objectives.	10%

Following completion of the trip, delegate members may submit their receipts for reimbursement. 91��ɫ members should submit their expenses through the system, while Queen’s University members may submit their receipts to Theresa Zhang, Financial Administrator, for processing.

Eligible Expenses:

Accommodations (single standard or equivalent), including internet costs as provided through accommodation plan.
Internet access charges while traveling on University business will be reimbursed where the employee is required to access University applications (including email).
Air, train, bus or car travel, claimed at the lowest rate available and not to exceed full economy fare;
Travel cancellation insurance and seat reservation charges;
Travel health insurance for faculty and any members of the research team who do not receive any such benefits from their institution and/or other sources. UHIP at 91��ɫ/Queen’s University is an eligible expense;
Safety-related expenses for field work, such as protective gear, immunizations, etc.
Business meals (must have a valid business purpose and include at least one representative from the organization being visited external to 91��ɫU). A list of all attendees must be provided. Alcohol is not an eligible expense.
Carbon offsets

Ineligible Expenses:

Meal per diems;
Alcohol
Commuting costs for faculty and members of the research team between their residence and place of employment, or between two places of employment;

*Note that we follow 91��ɫ policies and reimbursement guidelines. For more details, you can access the full guidelines here.